More rights for additional support needs children
8 Oct 08
Out-of-area placing requests, and dispute mediation, to be introduced
The rights of children with additional support needs and their parents are to be strengthened through changes to the Additional Support for Learning Act 2004, under proposals just published.
The Education (Additional Support for Learning) (Scotland) Bill, now introduced to the parliament, will mean that parents of ASN children, including those with a co-ordinated support plan (CSP), will be able to request that their child attend a school in another local authority, through an out-of-area placing request. If such a request is successful, responsibility for the child's or young person's education transfers to the new "host" authority.
Where a child has a CSP, parents will also have a right to appeal to the ASN Tribunal for Scotland if the placing request is refused.
In addition, when a child is attending a school in another authority as a result of a placing request they will now have access to mediation and dispute resolution from the new "host" authority.
Children's Minister Adam Ingram said: "Across Scotland we have good provision for ASN children. However there are times when parents believe that their child's specific needs would be best catered for through facilities available in a different local authority. The changes we are introducing today will ensure that such requests are considered."